Adhesive Capsulitis

Key points

• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is a common cause of shoulder pain. It is most common in middle-aged females. The aetiology of frozen shoulder is not fully understood. Associations
• diabetes mellitus: up to 20% of diabetics may have an episode of frozen shoulder Features typically develop over days
• external rotation is affected more than internal rotation or abduction
• both active and passive movement are affected
• patients typically have a painful freezing phase, an adhesive phase and a recovery phase